Nothing about us, without us
Presentation
The following proposal seeks to consolidate the progress achieved in terms of social participation at the Summit of Presidents of the Amazon[1] and the Amazon Dialogues[2], and to create a mechanism for social participation within the framework of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, taking up in particular the provisions contained in Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the Escazú Agreement and drawing on different experiences such as those of the FAO’s Civil Society Mechanism and integration processes such as those of the Andean Community, Mercosur and CELAC.
What is it?
The Amazon Social Participation Mechanism facilitates the participation of Amazon social organizations (indigenous peoples, afro-descendants, quilombolas, peasants, riparians, women, youth, LGBTQ+, artisanal fishermen, human rights and nature defenders, religious, urban, academic, scientific communities…) in the decision-making and management bodies of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT).
Attributions
To be informed in a timely manner of the proposals of the member states of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty in order to present its informed opinion at the beginning of the negotiation processes of the decisions and declarations.
Channel the proposals of Amazonian social organizations so that they are considered in the negotiation and decision-making processes at the level of Presidents, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of the Environment, other meetings of ministers, the Amazon Cooperation Council, special commissions and the Permanent Secretariat of ACTO.
Monitor and supervise the decisions, initiatives and projects agreed upon at the meetings of Presidents, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Amazon Cooperation Council and other instances of the ATT, and support their implementation, according to their possibilities and capacities.
To have access to information and give its advisory opinion on the different projects to be considered by the financing mechanisms for the Amazon to which the States Parties to the ATT have access.
Co-organize «Amazon Dialogues» with the States Parties and the ACTO Secretariat with the objective of guiding ACT actions, the results of which will be presented to the Summit of Presidents of the Amazon and other relevant decision-making bodies.
Collect and transmit the concerns and complaints of national and regional Amazonian social organizations for the information of the Permanent Secretariat and the pertinent instances.
Internal organization and representation
The Amazon social participation mechanism is:
- open, inclusive and pluralistic and respects the diversity and self-organization of all Amazonian social organizations.
- defines its operating structure autonomously and independently from the States, ensuring the widest participation of all Amazonian social sectors and the presence of all Amazonian countries.
- does not represent the organizations that participate in it. The organizations represent themselves and articulate positions together with others within the framework of the Amazon Social Participation Mechanism.
The persons designated to speak in the spaces with state authorities will be agreed upon within the framework of the Amazon Social Participation Mechanism, taking into account criteria of social sector, gender, country and diversity of positions. The forms of intervention of these delegates will be agreed on a case-by-case basis with the State Parties and/or the Permanent Secretariat of the ATT.
Funding
The financing of social participation in the OTCA Social mechanism will be the responsibility of the member states and the OTCA funds.
[1] Point 1 of the Declaration of Presidents of the Amazon (DPA): «Combine the efforts, at the highest level, of their governments to advance a new common agenda for cooperation in the Amazon that is implemented under the objective of sustainable development, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, forests and water, urgent action to avoid the point of no return in the Amazon, the fight against deforestation and illicit activities in the region, economic development with social inclusion and generation of income and employment, based on mechanisms for social participation, particularly of indigenous peoples and local and traditional communities, and the strengthening of ACTO. «
[2] Item 112 DPA: «Welcome the holding of the Amazon Technical-Scientific Meeting (Leticia, July 5 to 8, 2023) and the Amazon Dialogues (Belém, August 4 to 6, 2023), attended by representatives of different sectors of the societies of the States Parties, and take note of their conclusions, which will also be considered by the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the ATT to decide on their progressive implementation and incorporation in the areas of work of the Organization.
Asamblea Mundial por la Amazonía 